Drawing the Line on Worldliness

By: M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION

98014

SUBJECT: worldliness

Preached Originally: 3/8/98 - Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction.

A.       Throughout the Scriptures we read of the exhortation NOT to be worldly-minded.  We know that God does not want Christians to love the world.  This premise is well established in:

1.    Eccl. 9:7-9 - Worldliness only brings satisfaction during this life.

2.    1 Jhn. 2:15-17 - do not love the world!

3.    Mk. 8:35-37 - What will worldliness profit one in eternity?  Nothing!

4.    Mt. 6:19-21 - We must not be concerned solely with material things.  Must look forward to and plan for eternity.

B.       It is easy for us to read that it is a sin to be worldly.  It is easy to tell one another that worldliness is not pleasing to the Lord.

1.    However, it is not as easy to tell/explain what exactly worldliness is.

2.    One thing we can say is that worldliness is not to be identified with "worldly life."

3.    When we use the term "worldly life" we mean living on the planet Earth - the world.

C.      What we will attempt to do in our lesson today is to try to establish where we can draw the line on worldliness.  We will attempt to prove:

1.    It is right for us to enjoy this life.

2.    Then we will examine the kind of attitude the Christian is supposed to have concerning worldliness.

3.    We will do this by showing how one can "go over the line." Into a way that will be unpleasing to God.

D.      How does your life stack up?  Would you/do you think of yourself as being worldly?

1.    Use the time we have allotted this AM to examine your life.

2.    How is your attitude toward worldliness?

3.    Ask yourself this AM if you have gone over/past the line that God has drawn on worldliness.

 

II.  While we are not to have a worldly attitude we are to enjoy life.

A.    There is Scriptural precedent for this.

1.     Deut. 12:7 - we show our appreciation for life by enjoying the gift!  They were to enjoy the blessings that God had bestowed upon them!  We should do the same!

2.     Passages in Eccl.: 2:24; 3:12-13, 22; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7-9; 11:7-10

3.     Nothing is wrong with play.  Even the animals know how to play!  See Psa. 104:26.

4.     New Testament affirms this premise also. 

a.     Jesus mentioned wedding feasts often in parables.  He was also invited to one - Jhn. 2:1 - in Cana. 

b.     Weddings are a time of happiness and joy.

c.     Rejoicing, dancing of celebration, music  - upon the return of the prodigal son - Lk. 15:25.

B.    Enjoying happy times is good.  We need to teach our children to enjoy life.

1.    We need not to enjoy life in just "fun things."  But rather in all aspects of living. 

2.    e.g., work; family; friendships; etc. - If it basically isn't enjoyable, something is wrong.

3.    Even in tough & painful times, reflection on life can be seen to be enjoyable.

C.   Most of all so for us as Christians.

1.     Christians should be happy people.  Unfortunately, many feel that Christians are unhappy, or too serious to have fun.  (Looking at some Christians - you'd think they were against having fun!)

a.     however, Christians most of all taste the sweetness of life.

2.     Mt. 16:24-26 - Christians understand that one of the greatest secrets of life is that life can't really be enjoyed until one's life has been turned over to Christ!

3.     As children of God we are made aware of the rich blessings of God!  He has bestowed the greatest upon us!

a.    Eph. 1:3

b.    Rom. 8:32

4.     Because of this Christians should be able to live with hope!  We are able to do something that the world cannot do:

a.    Relax.  We are able to put problems in His hands - our lives rest in Him - and b/c of this we are able to enjoy the gift of life!

D.   The life of a Christian should be filled with joy!  Notice Gal. 5:21-22 - 2nd fruit of the spirit is "Joy."

1.     We're able to worship God!  Able to sing, give back to God, partake of the L.S., etc.  These are all expressions of a cheerful, joyful thanks for a life in fellowship with God!

2.     However, life is not always sweet & happy, as we well know.  (Eccl. 3:4) 

a.    Sometimes Christian joy is masked by temporary trouble.

b.    But, something wrong w/the Christian who is ALWAYS sour, bitter, complaining, unhappy!

E.    Indeed, let us enjoy the blessings of life that God has given to us!

III.  Crossing the Line.

A.    We cross the line when we come to disregard God.

1.    This is the heart of the problem of worldliness.

2.    Those who are worldly rob God of the things He deserves:

a.    our love. - many love world more than God.

b.    Our trust - where is your trust? What do you trust in?

c.     Our hope - beyond this world - or just in temporal things?

d.    Our obedience

e.    Eph. 2:1-3 - This was the way of the Ephesians before their conversion to Christ.  Many same way today.

3.    Whenever pleasures/enjoyments replace God in this way - we have crossed the line!  See Phil. 3:18-19

a.     this is a danger we must realize!  Especially in today's age.

b.     So much to choose to fill our leisure time.  Unfortuneately, leisure time is when so many leave God behind!

4.    Worldliness is NOT the equivalent to enjoying earthly life.

a.    BUT, when we make earthly life or anything in it our idol, we have crossed the line!

b.    Earthly life created to be enjoyed/appreciated but not to:

1.    have hopes hung on it

2.    standards found in it

3.    comfort sought in it

4.    Or obedience given unto it.

5. We cross the line when:

a.    Pleasure means escaping life instead of affirming life and appreciating it as God's gift.

b.    We feel that we have to "disobey God" to as we thing enjoy life.

c.     When we seek some pleasure instead of worshipping God.  (Heb. 10:24-26)

6.  Again, we cross the line when God is left behind!  Are you leaving God out of the picture?

B.    We cross the line when we go out of control.

1.    1 Jhn. 2:15-17 - all that is in the world, the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world.

a.     The way of the world is to be enslaved by these things.  Everything their lives can be dominated by one of these things.

b.     Certainly you know people who are "out of control" with worldly things…

c.      These things should not enslave the Christian - for greater is He that is in us that is in the world.

d.     It is essential to act with temperance and moderation in all things!

2.    Why be of this mind?  So that we can deny self in order to do right or do good.

a.    Think of the rich young ruler in Mk. 10:17-22.

b.    What prohibited him from pleasing God?  Giving up those great possessions.

c.     He was enslaved by them.  He was "out of control when it came to riches - and it caused him to delay doing what was right.

3.    If we are not careful, things of the world can take control of our lives!  If this happens, we aren't enjoying life (as we talked about earlier) but living in worldliness.

a.    Things of world addicting: drugs, alcohol, elicit sex, etc.

b.    Subject of alcohol: first the man takes a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes the man.  (Chinese proverb.)

4.    This can even be a problem with the good things of life. 

a.    Work, hobbies, food, etc. can all take control of our lives and enslave us.  Let us be careful!

5.    Where are your priorities?

C.   We cross the line when worldly things begin to tear us down.

1.      World's way to destroy: either to destroy oneself or destroy others.

2.      Therefore, we must look hard at the effects of what we do on:

a.    ourselves:

1.    Our physical body.

2.    Our "heart" or our spiritual well being.

b.    On others.

1.     In deed the things we do can/do effect others - perhaps spouse, family, friends, etc.

 

IV.  Conclusion.

A.      How is your attitude concerning worldliness?  Is it an attitude that would please God?

B.     Remember Mt. 16:26 - which we read at the beginning.

C.     Where are your priorities?

D.     I N V I T A T I O N